which is why we will lose the Falklands. One word from him and UK Catholics will join with the South American faitfhful

Our navy is a fraction of what it was last timeArgentinas is even worseWe would winCameron would make sure of itWe wont lose the FalklandsMore improtantly, the Falklanders themselves wont lose the FalklandsThe new Pope has a world of problems to address, the Falklands isnt relevant to his challengeGood luck to him

So many of the people who criticised Paley for his attitude to Muslims are on this thread having a pop at Catholics. At least Paley knew something about Islam.

Whilst many of the posters on this thread are taking the mickey out of Catholicism, the new pope, his nationality etc, I wouldn't take it too seriously, nor take the posters contributions similarly. One could not conclude from the posts made, that they result from any great degree of knowledge of Catholicism, or Christianity, or from any intelligent insight into religion and religious movements.

Anti-Catholicism has long been the anti-semitism equivalent of the chattering classes in this country, on the left and right, but it does not mean that the many people who hold those views are going to discriminate virulently, or violently against Catholics, rather it means that you can expect the expression of the staff room/tap room level of mild prejudice, lacking in an ounce of original wit, that has been evident in a number of the posts made so far.

Whilst many of the posters on this thread are taking the mickey out of Catholicism, the new pope, his nationality etc, I wouldn't take it too seriously, nor take the posters contributions similarly. One could not conclude from the posts made, that they result from any great degree of knowledge of Catholicism, or Christianity, or from any intelligent insight into religion and religious movements.

Anti-Catholicism has long been the anti-semitism equivalent of the chattering classes in this country, on the left and right, but it does not mean that the many people who hold those views are going to discriminate virulently, or violently against Catholics, rather it means that you can expect the expression of the staff room/tap room level of mild prejudice, lacking in an ounce of original wit, that has been evident in a number of the posts made so far.

I shouldn't take it too seriously if I were you. It is satire, a form of humour used against the powerful. As the pope is the most powerful figure in one of the most powerful institutions in the world, then he (and it) are fair game when it comes to this particular form of humour.

As for anti-Catholicism, I don't think anyone from the Roman Catholic community can take the moral high ground without acknowledging the bigotry that has emanated from their own religion and community, whether it has been antisemitism, anti-Protestantism, misogyny or, particularly in the present day, homophobia.

I was born into a Roman Catholic family and can vouch that some of the attitudes I encountered towards people who not of the 'one true faith' were disgusting. One uncle, for example, was vehemently, almost violently, opposed to his brothers marrying Protestant women (although his 'faith' did not prevent him from propositioning his sisters-in-law, or being unfaithful to his wife in later years).

And don't forget that the Roman Catholic church was, for many years, active, even violent,enemy of the national and religious communities of Great Britain. It conspired with foreign powers to overthrow the established powers in order to establish their own power and control. Given that history I think inter-faith and inter-community relations where they involve Roman Catholicism are incredibly healthy.

And let's not even mention the backlash that could have been unleashed by the exposure of the numerous criminal conspiracies designed to cover up the widespread sexual abuse of children and vulnerable people by the church.

Whilst many of the posters on this thread are taking the mickey out of Catholicism, the new pope, his nationality etc, I wouldn't take it too seriously, nor take the posters contributions similarly. One could not conclude from the posts made, that they result from any great degree of knowledge of Catholicism, or Christianity, or from any intelligent insight into religion and religious movements.

Anti-Catholicism has long been the anti-semitism equivalent of the chattering classes in this country, on the left and right, but it does not mean that the many people who hold those views are going to discriminate virulently, or violently against Catholics, rather it means that you can expect the exp<b></b>ression of the staff room/tap room level of mild prejudice, lacking in an ounce of original wit, that has been evident in a number of the posts made so far.

I have a big problem with the Catholic Church and believe them to be an evil influence on a large proportion of the earths population. Their current stance on homosexuality, the abuse and subsequent cover up of of children and adults by catholic priests, denial of a woman's right to have a say on what goes in with her body, using their huge influence in the developing world to prevent the use of condoms to stop the spread of HIV/Aids, the concept of original sin where the belief that unbaptised children will go to purgatory, the obsession with wealth are all things that I find abhorrent about the Catholic Church. I'm hoping that the new pope will attempt to rectify these issues. I'm an athiest and was not brought up a catholic, I agree with may of the things Christ was allegedly has said and it seems the Catholic Church goes against these teachings.

Edit: in the interest of fairness I also have similar views to other faiths. I believe a person should have the right to believe in what they want as long as it doesn't affect others. The problem is the organised religion does have an effect on the lives of others and not in a good way.

Severus has just saved me a lot of typing. Agree wholeheartedly with everything you said. Organised religions are vile organisations and a stain on humanity. We really should have outgrown them by now.

"surely they've got to try somthing different now, maybe the little chip over the top?2

I have a big problem with the Catholic Church and believe them to be an evil influence on a large proportion of the earths population. Their current stance on homosexuality, the abuse and subsequent cover up of of children and adults by catholic priests, denial of a woman's right to have a say on what goes in with her body, using their huge influence in the developing world to prevent the use of condoms to stop the spread of HIV/Aids, the concept of original sin where the belief that unbaptised children will go to purgatory, the obsession with wealth are all things that I find abhorrent about the Catholic Church. I'm hoping that the new pope will attempt to rectify these issues. I'm an athiest and was not brought up a catholic, I agree with may of the things Christ was allegedly has said and it seems the Catholic Church goes against these teachings.

Edit: in the interest of fairness I also have similar views to other faiths. I believe a person should have the right to believe in what they want as long as it doesn't affect others. The problem is the organised religion does have an effect on the lives of others and not in a good way.

Well said Severus. Unfortunately the religious always inflict their views on others and always the most vulnerable ie children. One of the worst
things this government has allowed are faith schools. Only a small step from the nauseous home schooling.
I'm a couple of generations social division will make a once fairly tolerant society not a pleasant place to live. We will not have the all encompassing patriotism of the USA to hold it together.

Derby City - proud to be flying the flag for Rugby League in the Midlands for over 24 years.

I have a big problem with the Catholic Church and believe them to be an evil influence on a large proportion of the earths population. Their current stance on homosexuality, the abuse and subsequent cover up of of children and adults by catholic priests, denial of a woman's right to have a say on what goes in with her body, using their huge influence in the developing world to prevent the use of condoms to stop the spread of HIV/Aids, the concept of original sin where the belief that unbaptised children will go to purgatory, the obsession with wealth are all things that I find abhorrent about the Catholic Church. I'm hoping that the new pope will attempt to rectify these issues. I'm an athiest and was not brought up a catholic, I agree with may of the things Christ was allegedly has said and it seems the Catholic Church goes against these teachings.

Edit: in the interest of fairness I also have similar views to other faiths. I believe a person should have the right to believe in what they want as long as it doesn't affect others. The problem is the organised religion does have an effect on the lives of others and not in a good way.

+ several

And when they found our shadows
Grouped around the TV sets
They ran down every lead
They repeated every test
They checked out all the data on their lists
And then the alien anthropologists
Admitted they were still perplexed
But on eliminating every other reason
For our sad demise
They logged the only explanation left
This species has amused itself to death
No tears to cry no feelings left
This species has amused itself to death

I have a big problem with the Catholic Church and believe them to be an evil influence on a large proportion of the earths population. Their current stance on homosexuality, the abuse and subsequent cover up of of children and adults by catholic priests, denial of a woman's right to have a say on what goes in with her body, using their huge influence in the developing world to prevent the use of condoms to stop the spread of HIV/Aids, the concept of original sin where the belief that unbaptised children will go to purgatory, the obsession with wealth are all things that I find abhorrent about the Catholic Church. I'm hoping that the new pope will attempt to rectify these issues. I'm an athiest and was not brought up a catholic, I agree with may of the things Christ was allegedly has said and it seems the Catholic Church goes against these teachings.

Edit: in the interest of fairness I also have similar views to other faiths. I believe a person should have the right to believe in what they want as long as it doesn't affect others. The problem is the organised religion does have an effect on the lives of others and not in a good way.

I share those views and like you apply them to other cults and sects . I would add that orgasnised religion has a negative(to say the least) on those who believe in them.

I share those views and like you apply them to other cults and sects . I would add that orgasnised religion has a negative(to say the least) on those who believe in them.

I was brought up a Methodist. I am now a non believer, but I have Methodism to thank for the way I look at the world and for my moral compass. I'm not sure how right or wrong I am on many things, but what I do know is my sense of what's right and what's wrong comes from 18 years of chapel three times on Sundays and chapel youth and social club the rest of the week. You can take the lad out of the chapel but you can't take the chapel out of the lad. I know many Catholics - you can't do what I do and not know them - and there are good ones and bad ones same as there are good and bad in any section of society.

"This is a very wealthy country, money is no object" D. Cameron February 2014